Talks by Our Gurus

Gurudeva Interviewed by Loni Petranek, Part II

Gurudeva Interviewed by Loni Petranek, Part II

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
, 2001-03-05

This is Part II of a radio interview conducted by Loni Petranek with Gurudeva. The interview gives an overview of Gurudeva's worldwide mission. Today Loni asks Gurudeva to tell a little bit about the historic background of his lineage. She then also asks him about the books that he is working on now.

Unedited Transcript:

Loni: Now if someone is not familiar with Hinduism or the temple here on Kauai, could you maybe, just give a brief overview, historically, about the lineage and the temple?

Gurudeva: The lineage comes from Sri Lanka, Loni. Basically, 'One God, One world' is the theme of the temple. The Sri Lankan people who were my Guru's devotees and now are my devotees, are scattered throughout the world because of the war in Sri Lanka. There are over two million of them. We have been working very hard through the years, to get them settled in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand and Canada and built temples. So from our temple here on Kauai, we oversee over 47 temples, not only in America and Canada but other countries too, as well in Sri Lanka and India as well. Overseeing temples means, we help get the temple started. We work out major difficulties with management and with priests that are hired for the temple. Then, once it is rolling along we don't have a lot of contact except on very special festival times.

Loni: So, you are the spiritual leader for forty temples, I have read, as well as the Publisher of 'Hinduism Today'.

Gurudeva: International magazine.

Loni: Yes, yes. So, you are very busy.

Gurudeva: Well, I have a lot of help.

Loni: You have a lot of help.

Gurudeva: If you were to paint a picture of me, you would draw a circle and put a dot in the middle - that would be me. I am trying to always stay in the center and do as much of nothing as I can.

Loni: Sort of the nuclei.

Gurudeva: Yes, that is it.

Loni: Now, you also write?

Gurudeva: Yes, we have just been on the island, not travelling for three years, to put out 'Lemurian Scrolls'. We finished that book. We finished a beautiful translation in American English, of a ancient scripture called 'Tirukural', which teaches us how to live daily life, all aspects of life. 'Dancing with Siva', 'Living with Siva' and 'Merging with Siva' and lots of other books and pamphlets.

Loni: Now, Siva seems to be a central theme for you. Can you explain?

Gurudeva: Sanskrit name for God.

Loni: Oh, okay, okay.

Gurudeva: To explain Siva very simply - the energy in your body, Loni, and my body, comes right from Siva. The light that lights up your thoughts, Loni, and my thoughts, comes right from Siva or right from God. So, there is no place in the Universe where Siva isn't. But, there is one thing He cannot do.

Loni: And what is that?

Gurudeva: He is so powerful. He creates the Universe, preserves the Universe and can absorb it back into Himself. But, He cannot take Himself out of you. That is pretty reassuring, isn't it?